Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-11-25
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
Regular Correspondence Of the Standard.

After diligent investigation of the
press reports of the impending Cabi-
net changes lately sent out from the
Capital, your correspondent is con-
vinced that the rumors are not
founded on fact, except in SO far
as they relate to the transfer oi
Secretary Lamar to the Supreme
Bench soon after the assembling OF
Congress. OF course. it is mere con-
lecture on my part, but will venture
this opinion in regard to the probable
vacancy-that the new Secretary OF
the Interior will either be Assistant
Secretary Muldrow or Gen. John c.
Black, Commissioner of Pensions.
/ One of the Congressional committees
that to investigate the methods OF
conducting business in the several Gov
ernment Departments-is actively at
work. Headed by their chairman the
members of the committee are now
visiting the departments and making a
personal investigation. Mr.. Cockrell,
the venerable chairman of this im-
portant committee, is one of the most
industrious and vigorous workers in
the Senate; to my personal knowledge
he has devoted much of the past sum-
mer to the particular task that he has
in hand.
No longer ago than last month there
were many individuals and newspapers
who still clamored for an extra ses-
sion OF Congress, ON account of an
alleged crisis in the country's finances,
but the fiscal expedients resorted to
by the Government to avert a possible
panic were so effective in expanding
the circulating medium, that, as if by
magic, all fears have been calmed and
general confidence restored in the
great business world. According to a
Treasury statement, during the month
of October there was y net increase OF
$13,O 3,OOO,O 600 in circulation and a net
increase of $l4,OO0,OO0, in Treasury
cash. Everything is SO quiet in
financial circles that am confident
the country will be safe from the
harmful effects OF the surplus until
Congress provides the remedy.
Congressman Grain of Texas, il
heading the movement to change the
time Of electing congressman, aud
also the date for the meeting of Con
gross, and it is hoped that he will bt
successful in both. The House ol
Representatives is the popular branch
Of our Government and was designed
to he u reflex of the wishes of theil
constituencies; but, under the present
system, when q representative does
not assume the functions Of his office
until thirteen months after elected
the member loses, or is likely to lose
much of his truly representative
character. The House of Representa-
tives would not thus belle its name
if chosen in November, aud assembled
in the following January. Then, too
the holiday recess which now soor
follows the meeting Of Congress, woult
he avoided. After all Congressmer
are mere mortals like the" balance O
mankind" as old President Zacl
Taylor was wont to say, and why no
have them serve by the year the SAM
as many other elective officials
There certainly Is NO good and sui
ficient reason why Congressmer
should prove an exception.
| 1t is understood that the President
in his forthcoming message, will tax
an aggressive position ON the tari1
question, and it is believed the sam
subject will be the .ershadowing il
sue in the Fiftieth Congress. 1t !
apparent that both Democrats ant
Republicans practically agree tina
there should be reduction of tarif
duties, but they differ widely as to tn
details of such legislation-so radically
| in fact, that it will be difficult, if nc
I 7mpUssibioy-te their COL
flicting opinions.
However, upon one phase of tn
tariff question, both the great partie
believe impure free trade-that ii
when it comes to commercial reciprt
city between the United States an
Canada.
i The politicians and congressman I
the Capital all agree in one opinion
: that the result of the New York ele'
!, ton assures beyond doubt the renon
I, ination Of President Cleveland, an
Democrats generally are equally col
fident that it is q forerunner of b
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and many al
of the belief that the great victor
means Democratic ascendency
national affairs for quarter of Gel
tury. The final overthrow of vi
ginia's ex-boss Malone, while not I
significant, is almost equally gratifyin
, DEN.
TEMPERANCE people preach ten
= perance to temperance people
Itemperance meetings. They rare